Picture this: creamy, buttery mashed potatoes wrapped in crispy, golden bacon and transformed into irresistible bite-sized spheres that explode with flavor in every single bite. These Mashed Potato Bacon Bombs are the ultimate comfort food mashup that will have your family and friends begging for the recipe. Whether you’re looking to use up leftover mashed potatoes or create something spectacular from scratch, these little flavor bombs deliver big on taste and presentation.
These delightful appetizers combine the best of both worlds – the comforting familiarity of creamy mashed potatoes with the smoky, salty crunch of perfectly cooked bacon. They’re perfect for game day gatherings, holiday parties, or any time you want to elevate your appetizer game to legendary status.
Why You’ll Love These
Perfect for Leftovers: Transform yesterday’s mashed potatoes into today’s showstopper appetizer without any waste or guilt.
Crowd-Pleasing Appeal: The combination of bacon and potatoes is universally loved, making these bombs a guaranteed hit at any gathering.
Make-Ahead Friendly: These can be prepared hours in advance and baked when your guests arrive, making entertaining stress-free.
Customizable Base: The basic recipe serves as a fantastic foundation for countless flavor variations and creative additions.
Impressive Presentation: Despite being simple to make, these bacon bombs look restaurant-quality and will impress even the most discerning food lovers.
Budget-Friendly: Using common ingredients and leftover potatoes makes this an economical way to create something special.
Ingredients
Mashed Potato Base:
- 3 cups prepared mashed potatoes (cooled to room temperature)
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
- 1/4 cup fresh chives, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
Bacon Wrapping:
- 12-16 strips of bacon (depending on thickness)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional, for caramelized finish)
Serving:
- Sour cream
- Additional fresh chives
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare Your Workspace: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. This temperature ensures the bacon crisps perfectly while heating the potato centers thoroughly.
Mix the Potato Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled mashed potatoes with the beaten egg, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped chives, softened cream cheese, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Mix everything together until well combined and the mixture holds together when pressed. The mixture should be firm enough to shape but not dry.
Shape the Bombs: Using your hands or a large cookie scoop, form the potato mixture into golf ball-sized spheres, approximately 2 inches in diameter. You should get about 12-14 bombs from this mixture. Place the shaped balls on a plate and refrigerate for 15 minutes to firm up.
Prepare the Bacon: While the potato balls chill, cut your bacon strips in half crosswise. If using brown sugar for a caramelized finish, lightly sprinkle it over the bacon pieces.
Wrap Each Bomb: Remove the chilled potato balls from the refrigerator. Take each ball and wrap it completely with 2-3 pieces of bacon, ensuring the entire surface is covered. The bacon should overlap slightly and be tucked underneath to prevent unraveling during cooking.
Arrange for Baking: Place the bacon-wrapped bombs seam-side down on your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for even cooking and prevent sticking.
Bake to Perfection: Bake for 25-30 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking, until the bacon is golden brown and crispy on all sides. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
Rest and Serve: Allow the bacon bombs to cool for 5 minutes before serving. This brief resting period helps them hold their shape and prevents burns from the hot filling.
Things to Remember
Potato Temperature Matters: Always use completely cooled mashed potatoes. Hot potatoes will make the mixture too soft to shape properly and can cook the egg prematurely.
Don’t Skip the Chilling: Refrigerating the shaped balls before wrapping makes them much easier to handle and helps maintain their shape during cooking.
Bacon Selection: Choose bacon that’s not too thick or too thin. Medium-thickness bacon wraps easily and cooks evenly without becoming too chewy or burning.
Secure the Wrapping: Make sure the bacon ends are tucked underneath and the wrapping is snug but not too tight, as the potatoes will expand slightly during heating.
Monitor Cooking Time: Oven temperatures vary, so start checking at 20 minutes. The bacon should be golden and crispy, not burnt.
What to Serve With Them
These bacon bombs pair beautifully with a variety of accompaniments. Serve them alongside a fresh garden salad to balance the richness, or offer an array of dipping sauces like tangy ranch dressing, cool sour cream with herbs, or spicy sriracha mayo. For a complete appetizer spread, consider adding vegetable crudités, cheese and crackers, or stuffed mushrooms.
For beverages, these pair excellently with cold beer, especially lagers or wheat beers, crisp white wines like Sauvignon Blanc, or classic cocktails like Bloody Marys for brunch gatherings.
Mix It Up
Cheese Variations: Experiment with different cheeses like smoked gouda, pepper jack for heat, or cream cheese mixed with herbs for extra richness.
Herb and Spice Additions: Try adding fresh dill, rosemary, or thyme to the potato mixture, or incorporate spices like paprika, cayenne pepper, or Italian seasoning.
Stuffed Center Surprise: Create a surprise center by placing a small cube of cheese, a jalapeño slice, or a piece of cooked sausage in the middle of each potato ball before shaping.
International Flavors: Add curry powder and cilantro for an Indian twist, or incorporate sun-dried tomatoes and basil for an Italian variation.
Keeping Them Fresh
Store leftover bacon bombs in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. To reheat, place them on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes until heated through and the bacon crisps up again. Avoid microwaving as this will make the bacon soggy.
For longer storage, these can be frozen for up to 1 month. Freeze them individually on a baking sheet first, then transfer to freezer bags. Reheat from frozen by adding 5-10 minutes to the original baking time.
Kitchen Tips
Make-Ahead Strategy: Assemble the bacon bombs completely and refrigerate for up to 4 hours before baking. This actually improves the flavors as they meld together.
Perfect Shaping: Wet your hands slightly when shaping the potato balls to prevent sticking and achieve smoother, rounder shapes.
Bacon Cooking Hack: For extra-crispy bacon, place the baking sheet on the bottom rack of your oven for the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Leftover Magic: These are an excellent way to repurpose leftover holiday mashed potatoes, giving them new life as an exciting appetizer.
Frequently Asked Questions
→ Can I use instant mashed potatoes?
Yes, but ensure they’re prepared according to package directions and completely cooled. Fresh mashed potatoes provide better texture and flavor.
→ if my potato mixture is too soft?
Add a small amount of breadcrumbs or flour, one tablespoon at a time, until the mixture holds together properly.
→ Can I prepare these without eggs?
The egg helps bind the mixture, but you can substitute with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) for a similar binding effect.
→ How do I prevent the bacon from shrinking too much?
Choose bacon that’s not overly fatty, and don’t wrap too tightly as both the bacon and potatoes will contract slightly during cooking.
→ Can I make mini versions?
Absolutely! Form smaller balls using a small cookie scoop and use half strips of bacon. Reduce cooking time to 15-20 minutes and watch carefully to prevent overcooking.
These Mashed Potato Bacon Bombs represent the perfect marriage of comfort food classics, transformed into an elegant appetizer that’s sure to become a requested favorite at all your gatherings.
Mashed Potato Bacon Bombs
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
Mashed Potato Base
- 3 cups mashed potatoes cooled to room temperature
- 1 large egg beaten
- 0.5 cup sharp cheddar cheese finely shredded
- 0.25 cup fresh chives finely chopped
- 2 tbsp cream cheese softened
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 tsp salt adjust to taste
Bacon Wrapping
- 12-16 strips bacon depending on thickness
- 2 tbsp brown sugar optional, for caramelized finish
For Serving
- sour cream
- additional fresh chives
- ranch or blue cheese dressing
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix mashed potatoes, egg, cheddar, chives, cream cheese, garlic powder, pepper, and salt until well combined.
- Shape mixture into golf ball-sized spheres and chill for 15 minutes.
- Cut bacon strips in half and optionally sprinkle with brown sugar.
- Wrap each potato ball with 2-3 pieces of bacon, ensuring complete coverage. Place seam-side down on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway, until bacon is crispy and internal temp is 165°F (74°C).
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with sour cream, chives, and dressing of choice.